Chapter 1287: Exploration (2)

“Why does Lady Tsunade think so? I feel that the Land of Demons has a long way to go to catch up with the Land of Fire.”

Shizune looked at Tsunade in surprise.

Recently, the Land of Fire has been somewhat declining, but for the Land of Demons to catch up, it shouldn’t be an easy task.

“Indeed, in terms of foundation, the Land of Fire is not weak. The problem is…”

Tsunade smiled bitterly.

The problem is that more than ninety percent of the wealth in the Land of Fire is concentrated in the hands of the Daimyo and the nobility, hoarded away for unknown purposes.

The majority of the remainder is allocated to Konoha for development funds.

Finally, what little is left belongs to the common people.

With wealth unable to circulate, the populace cannot become prosperous.

Tsunade, having visited the Land of Demons, sincerely believes that the transportation in the Land of Fire is inconvenient, the town planning, and the domestic approach to dealing with bandit problems, is careless. At least Konoha can receive numerous C-Class Missions to eliminate bandits within the Land of Fire every year, which is problematic.

Some of those bandits are refugees from other countries who fled into the Land of Fire, while others are desperate citizens of the Land of Fire, forced to rely on robbery to survive.

These days, Tsunade has not opted to delve further into medical ninjutsu. On one hand, her medical ninjutsu is already at the pinnacle within the Ninja Realm, and there’s unlikely to be any major breakthroughs in the short term. On the other hand, she wishes to understand the changes in the Land of Demons through more fundamental means and consider the future path of the Land of Fire and Konoha.

Therefore, the various materials she has gathered relate to the industrial chains, economy, taxation systems, agricultural policies, military planning, defense intensity, crackdown on black industries, scientific research, and diplomatic aspects.

With these areas as the breakthroughs, she vaguely feels that the Land of Demons is a very formidable country.

Given that they surpass the great nations in these fields, the rise of the Land of Demons is not a coincidence, nor a stroke of luck, but rather a natural occurrence.

A country that doesn’t grow strong under such circumstances would be an anomaly.

Obviously, the Land of Fire possesses more population, more expansive land, and a stronger foundation than the Land of Demons, yet in all aspects, it seems lacking in response to the Land of Demons. This is where the problem lies.

Because power cannot be concentrated, whether it’s human power, economic power, or military power to ensure national security, everything is severely fragmented.

Take Konoha for example, representing the Land of Fire’s strongest military power. The selection of ninjas is only within Konoha Village.

Whereas the Land of Demons is different, every town has established schools to identify those skilled in techniques and those suitable to become ninjas.

Talents are selected nationwide.

Despite its small size, the Land of Demons fully operates its national machinery, and in talent reserves, it might already be comparable to the Five Great Nations.

But the problem is, the land and population of the Land of Demons cannot compare with the Five Great Nations.

If the Land of Demons uses every bit of its power to the fullest, then the power the Land of Fire uses to its fullest might only be less than thirty percent.

The rest of the power is hoarded by the upper echelons, not accessible to the middle and lower tiers.

The more she thinks about it, the more Tsunade feels a headache.

Ultimately, it comes down to the system and the attitude of the upper echelons towards the middle and lower tiers.

But after several hundred years of unchanged Five Great Nations’ structure, do those Daimyo and nobility truly have the courage to touch that uncertain future benefit?

On this issue, Tsunade is already feeling scared and doubtful about the answer.

“Shizune, could you go out and get me some dinner? I need to write a letter back to Konoha.”

Tsunade said this.

“Okay, Lady Tsunade.”

Shizune glanced at the time, and indeed, it was almost dinner time. She didn’t hesitate, opened the door, and went to the hotel’s front desk to order a meal.

“Anyway, I should first explain to Teacher Sarutobi the current issues existing in Konoha.”

As for how to change them, Tsunade can’t think of a good way.

But Konoha isn’t lacking in smart people, perhaps someone can come up with a solution.

After all, she is a medical ninja, knowledgeable about these things only because she is in Konoha’s higher echelons, has access to more information, and can view issues from a higher standpoint. It’s not that her political awareness is exceptionally high.

If not for the emergence of such an eccentric country like the Land of Demons, Tsunade feels she would never have contemplated such issues in her lifetime.

Before considering the ninja profession, she is a human being.

The prosperity of ninjas does not equate to the prosperity and progress of humans.

Centering on ‘human’, to lead with understanding by the upper echelons for the advancement of the human era…

“Simply defining this guy as a terrorist for war’s sake is the narrowest view.”

Tsunade sighed.

She knows the international sentiment toward Hakushi often leans negative.

Especially within the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, the media often portrays him as an unforgivable war maniac.

Similar propaganda exists within Konoha Village as well.

No matter how much hatred or hostility exists, if their thoughts cannot be understood, their motives for doing such things cannot be comprehended, then what’s seen is only surface-level.

Instigating war is not the ultimate goal; it’s merely a necessary sacrifice to achieve goals.